A torn meniscus can put you on the bench and shorten an athletic career. However, athletes aren't the only people at risk for meniscus tears. Anyone at any age or stage can experience one.
Why Meniscus Tears Occur
Situated between the two bones of your knee joint are your menisci. These pieces of cartilage act as shock absorbers. They also help stabilize your knee.
Trauma or the usual effects of aging can damage the menisci and cause a meniscus tear. While there are different types of these common meniscal injuries, all cause similar symptoms.
Identifying a Meniscus Tear
Some people with a torn meniscus can initially continue life as normal. After a few days, symptoms of the injured knee make life difficult.
Common symptoms of a meniscus tear include:
- Feeling your knee giving out
- Experiencing a catching or locking sensation in the knee
- Reduced range of motion in the knee
- Stiffness, pain, and swelling in the knee
If you experience these symptoms, contact your physician. Along with a physical examination and discussion of your medical history and symptoms,
imaging tests, such as an
MRI, help diagnose a meniscus tear.
Meniscus Tear Treatment
Meniscus tears on the outer third of the meniscus may heal with conservative treatment. For healing to occur, rest the knee when possible and use crutches when walking. Other conservative treatment methods include:
- Over-the-counter medication. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication reduces pain and swelling and helps speed healing.
- Rest, ice, compress and elevate (RICE). As you rest the injured knee, apply ice several times daily for 20 minutes. Reduce swelling by keeping the knee elevated and wearing a compression bandage.
- Steroid injections. You may find pain relief through corticosteroid injections. These also reduce swelling.
On the other hand, the inner meniscus has a limited blood supply, which limits the knee's ability to heal. Therefore, a more aggressive approach, which includes arthroscopic surgery, may be necessary.
With arthroscopic surgery, the surgeon identifies and fixes the meniscus tear through small incisions in the knee. Depending on your injury, your surgeon does one of the following:
- Removes the damaged tissue through a partial meniscectomy
- Repairs the torn menisci by reconnecting the disconnected parts of the menisci
Following surgery, a
physical therapist or sports medicine specialist helps you recover. Flexibility and strengthening exercises improve knee function and mobility. If you undergo a partial meniscectomy, you return to life within a few weeks. Recovering from meniscus repair takes between three and six months.
Preventing Meniscal Injuries
Unfortunately, you can't avoid all meniscus tears. However, you can reduce your risk with the following
injury prevention steps:
- Exercise regularly. Strong leg muscles give your knee extra protection.
- Get the right shoes for your activity or sport. The proper footwear for your activity gives you the support you need for healthy knees.
- Stretch before exercise. Taking time to stretch and warm up before exercise and activity reduces your risk of injury.
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